Page 278 of Mountain Grump

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I can keep the things he did for me.

I…

A tear slips free.

“I hate this,” I whisper to the trees.

There’s a rustle, then Quackers flaps up from below the deck and perches herself on the railing.

The edge of my mouth pulls up into a sad smile. “Morning.”

She does her little shoulder shimmy.

“You know what I hate most of all?” I ask my best friend. “I hate feeling stupid. It’s… it’s such a bad feeling. The worst.”

Quackers hops down from the railing onto the deck.

“You get it. Don’t you?”

She waddles over to me, stopping at my feet.

I hold my mug out of the way and pat my lap. “If you want?—”

There’s a flapping of wings, and I close my eyes on instinct. Then I feel a gentle weight resting on my thigh.

I slide my eyes open.

And I find Quackers sitting on my lap.

I sniff.

Then I sniff again as more tears fall.

“You’re such a good duck.” I move my hand so very slowly before stroking it down her back.

Quackers makes a soft sound and stretches her head out.

“Does that mean you like this?” I do it again.

This time she scrunches her neck up so her chin… beak… is resting on her chest.

I keep petting her, keep soaking in the comfort she’s giving me.

And then I tell her the truth of it all.

“I don’t want to love him.”

Chapter 160

Ethan

I want to call her.

I want to message her.

I want to explain it all to her.

But I know I can’t do any of that until the next two weeks are up.

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